one word [salute]
(ref: here)
The dusty militia-man stepped from his post.
"Wow, these fifteen hour tours are getting longer," the thought to himself, as he rotated, acknowledged his replacement, and briefed his relief.
Having no visitors was normal at the Memorial Museum; Jake, and others like him, had committed to watchstanding this post independent of tourist attention.
Precisely seven minutes later, Jake found himself walking to his car. Like him, his replacement knew the drill - shift change was always fast and professional.
Opening the door, the week unfolded in his mind; Jake thought on breakfast, considered a local diner, and found himself placing a to-go order at a counter near his loft.
Waiting on a stool, Jake noticed staring; assuming his unorthodox uniform drew attention, Jake continued to appear lost in thought.
One girl, no more than six, approached Jake; turning towards her, Jake smiled.
"Hello," said the girl. "My brother and I wanted to thank you."
From the booth which had housed the girl came a boy a little older.
"Yes, Mister," supplemented the boy. "We truly wished you to know we appreciate what you do."
Curious, Jake asked after the boy.
"Wow, I didn't know anyone knew; although it is not a secret," explained Jake, "I've never run into anyone else who about the Museum."
"Oh yes," replied the boy, with serious eyes. "Our family grew up being told stories of the men and women you represent."
"Yes," said the girl, smiling. "And ever since I heard that the Musuem was guarded all the time, I hoped to see one of those guards."
"Hmmm," thought Jake. "Why would they want to see us?"
"I know it sound weird," said the girl, by way of explanation. "But I simply, along with my brother, wanted to thank you."
Several feet away, the boy smiled and the the girl stood next to him; both stood erect.
Jake gracefully left the stool and stood, erect, and stared at an invisible flag behind the children.
Hand's raised to their respective brows, the boy and girl thanked the soldier in the simplest and most effective way they knew how.
And Jake acknowledged their thanks, returning the gesture.
The dusty militia-man stepped from his post.
"Wow, these fifteen hour tours are getting longer," the thought to himself, as he rotated, acknowledged his replacement, and briefed his relief.
Having no visitors was normal at the Memorial Museum; Jake, and others like him, had committed to watchstanding this post independent of tourist attention.
Precisely seven minutes later, Jake found himself walking to his car. Like him, his replacement knew the drill - shift change was always fast and professional.
Opening the door, the week unfolded in his mind; Jake thought on breakfast, considered a local diner, and found himself placing a to-go order at a counter near his loft.
Waiting on a stool, Jake noticed staring; assuming his unorthodox uniform drew attention, Jake continued to appear lost in thought.
One girl, no more than six, approached Jake; turning towards her, Jake smiled.
"Hello," said the girl. "My brother and I wanted to thank you."
From the booth which had housed the girl came a boy a little older.
"Yes, Mister," supplemented the boy. "We truly wished you to know we appreciate what you do."
Curious, Jake asked after the boy.
"Wow, I didn't know anyone knew; although it is not a secret," explained Jake, "I've never run into anyone else who about the Museum."
"Oh yes," replied the boy, with serious eyes. "Our family grew up being told stories of the men and women you represent."
"Yes," said the girl, smiling. "And ever since I heard that the Musuem was guarded all the time, I hoped to see one of those guards."
"Hmmm," thought Jake. "Why would they want to see us?"
"I know it sound weird," said the girl, by way of explanation. "But I simply, along with my brother, wanted to thank you."
Several feet away, the boy smiled and the the girl stood next to him; both stood erect.
Jake gracefully left the stool and stood, erect, and stared at an invisible flag behind the children.
Hand's raised to their respective brows, the boy and girl thanked the soldier in the simplest and most effective way they knew how.
And Jake acknowledged their thanks, returning the gesture.
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